A new Labour-supporting campaign group has now been launched – Labour Friends of the Forces – which will aim to deliver the policies and ideas of the service community and anyone who supports them. This organisation is an expression of support for the bravery and professionalism of the Forces and the quiet courage of their families at home.
Our Armed Forces face many challenges, whether from fast-changing threats overseas or from the need to protect and strengthen the support they receive at home. Labour Friends of the Forces will aim to be their voice, increase their political participation and to help develop the campaigns they deserve.
Also important about this organisation is what it says about the Labour party. In launching a group dedicated to their issues we are making a clear statement of the value we place on the service community. Supporting the patriotism of service personnel and of their families should be a priority for any government, and also therefore any party aspiring to govern. Their contribution to our country is enormous and the support they receive should speak volumes about our nation and our party’s character.
Just as this is a declaration of what we believe in the organisation is also a statement of how we should organise and develop policy. Labour Friends of the Forces launched by actively seeking views on an issue we know to be crucial to forces’ families – the impact of moving around the country. This is a vital issue and we will form our ideas in conjunction and consultation with the military community. Policymaking should not be disconnected from but reflective of the views of those we aim to serve. We want this organisation to be rooted in service communities, which is why we are developing a national network of advocates, made up of veterans and Labour MPs. As we make progress, we will support important campaigns led by others but will also design our own based on the views of service people and those who care for them.
Membership of this new organisation is free. If you are sympathetic to Labour’s values and have a passion for the people at the heart of defence policy join us. I strongly believe, as I know many do, that Labour is stronger when we look beyond our membership base and reach into the pool of experience and insight that exists in every neighbourhood and community.
I hope Progress members will join and participate, and in so doing join a network of like-minded people across the UK, keeping up to date with the defence debate, sharing ideas with other members and getting involved in events or staging your own, either with party members or those from the service community you know. We are open to all new ideas about activity we can stage.
Each day in opposition serves one main purpose – to move us a step closer to power. Being in opposition is the responsibility that has befallen us. But that does not mean we cannot influence or achieve change. Campaigning in support of the Royal British Legion Labour forced the government to enshrine the military covenant in law. Labour is now the first party to create a special £1 introductory membership rate for serving personnel and veterans. And now we are the first party to establish an organisation to campaign on behalf of the forces community.
The success of this project, just like the success of the Labour party, is dependent on individual commitment. We must each listen to service community’s concerns, show our solidarity and try to shape the solutions to their often unique problems. Labour Friends of the Forces will be holding events and online consultations in the coming weeks – I very much hope you will be able to play a part.
Because of all of these changes and the work that many of you are doing Labour can now be the most welcoming of any political party to our Forces community. The challenge to me, the shadow defence team and all of us together is to change our party. When we talk about refounding our party we are rebuilding a political home – and creating a political Home fit for our Heroes.
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Jim Murphy MP is shadow secretary of state for defence
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I have joined – a ‘no-brainer’ for me as a Labour councillor and a former soldier, but for to long the Tories have been seen as the Forces Party – with the army set to down to 80,000 by 2020 – they are no longer seen as that by those serving- it is about time we were seen as the Forces friend- something we have not been described as since 1945
If you ahve an interest in our Armed Forces, I urge you to join
No change as the young men and women who are going through labours WCA medicals, no change of me joining this when the lads with no legs gets told you can work for daring to try and walk. or your benefits are stopped
This is an insult
I would hope that current member do not see this as an opportunity to cancel their membership and rejoin for a quid.
If Mr Murphy has ever served in the Forces he would know that party politics are not welcome in the billet or the Mess. Soldiers, sailors and airmen obey Parliament, and do not engage in party politics.
complete and utter rubbish of the highest order – service men and women have views and opinions on schools, hospitals, welfare and everything else – they are free citizens and as such should not be treated as mere tools of the state. This is a great initiative.
No chance.
Not after what Lord Reid and Blair have done. This is just another cynical scam. The Forces already have two marvelous organizations, Help for Heroes and the Royal British legion and are beyond party politics. Its shameful for any political party to use the armed forces and ex-service personal for election and political purposes.
Labour is committed to corruption, I know this because when I asked Ed Milliband what his position was on lobbying he ignored me completely and though we do not trust the Tories, they are the only ones to begin to raise this issue. This is important and relevant because Wars are fought for Corporate purposes and for politicians to cash in at the expense of the lives of the very best and most honorable people I have ever met.
Labour cannot at the PLP level be trusted with schemes like this and doing this in the current climate is simply sick.
Ralph, you were elected because of the Labour Party in Maresbrook. Before you lecture others on a wide variety of matters on virtually every blog, do the decent thing, resign, stand in the by-election as an Indepedent and let the electorate make their choice.
Yes, I agree with Jim Murphy, I would support Labour action to appreciate and value the arm forces
As an ex-serviceman who served 22 yrs & who worked in the MoD during the Labour years seeing first hand Labour’s support for the Forces (well, lack of) at the highest level the idea of Labour Friends of the Forces is a cynical ploy for membership.
It won’t make much difference & I hope those that are already members do cancel their membership & rejoin for a lower fee.
Labour is not the friend of the Forces & for them to claim they are is disingenuous at the very least.